Labour encourages integration of health and local authorities

Following the 1974 NHS reorganisation, health and local authorities had a statutory duty to work together and establish Joint Consultative Committees to enable their cooperation. 

In 1976, a 'joint finance' programme was introduced to further incentivise integration between local authorities and the NHS. The Joint Consultative Committees were given access to £16m to realise the vision of better integration between health and social care provision.

Under the programme, NHS money was made available for jointly agreed projects managed by local authorities or voluntary organisations. However, plans came undone as a result of the economic crisis and subsequent public spending cuts.